By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – A Columbiana man was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of first-degree rape on April 7.

Shelby County District Court Judge Dan Reeves accepted the state’s recommendation to sentence Steven Ashley Wallace, 31, to a total of four years in prison, followed by five years of supervised probation during an April 7 hearing.

According to his indictments, Wallace did “intentionally engage in sexual intercourse with a female by forcible compulsion” and did “intentionally subject another person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion” between Jan. 1, 2012, and June 29, 2012.

First-degree rape is a Class A felony, and is punishable by up to life in prison.

Wallace has no prior adult felony convictions, according to court documents.

As part of his sentence, Wallace was also ordered to avoid initiating contact with the victim and the victim’s family, and must register as a sex offender and pay a $525 bond fee.